What is Fear of Open Spaces?
The fear of open spaces (also referred to as agoraphobia) is defined as a form of anxiety disorder that causes an abnormal fear of open spaces, crowded public places or leaving a safe location. The person experiencing the fear is usually not afraid of open spaces or people but fears being in an embarrassing situation where he or she may not be able to escape from the situation. This disorder develops initially after the sufferer experiences a panic attack, usually in a public place, and afterwards the attacks may occur without warning.
As a result of the randomness of these attacks, the sufferer expects future panic attacks to occur and fears situations where attacks may occur. The fear of open spaces is a very distressing condition, and may impact negatively on daily living, social situations, work and relationships. People with this condition rarely venture out in public and may often need to be accompanied. If left untreated, the fear of open spaces can lead to serious health problems such as panic or obsessive disorders, depression and tension.
What causes Fear of Open Spaces?
The fear of open spaces occurs as a result of an internal anxiety or panic disorder that becomes severe or out of control causing the individual to avoid situations or locations where feelings of panic may be experienced.
The unconscious mind makes a negative association linking crowded public places, open spaces, leaving a place where you felt safe and protected or emotional trauma. People who are shy and cautious by nature have low confidence levels and tend to be worriers or perfectionists may also develop this phobia. These phobias may also be learned unintentionally.
Help for Fear of Open Spaces
Various treatment options can help reduce the symptoms associated with the fear of open spaces as well as develop coping skills and manage fear and anxiety effectively. Medications such as anti-anxiety and anti-depressive drugs such as Zoloft, Paxil or Prozac may be prescribed to treat anxiety and panic attacks.
These drugs are potent and have some severe side effects and withdrawal symptoms. A beneficial treatment for the fear of open spaces is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) together with desensitization which involves using breathing and relaxation techniques to help the individual learn to cope with the situation and address his or her fear, panic or anxiety. In addition, therapeutic approaches such as hypnotherapy, visualization therapy, meditation or yoga can also how to relax and distress.
Natural and holistic treatments have proven to be quite effective in treating anxiety disorders such as the fear of open spaces. Homeopathic remedies work by helping the mind and body to restore balance at a cellular level and are safe and gentle to use for people of all ages.
Carefully selected homeopathic ingredients such as Aconite, Natrum carbonicum and Calcarea carbonica promotes calmness and relieves the fear and anxiety associated with leaving the home or comfort zone and being in new surroundings and wide open spaces.
